Week 17 · Theme 3, Lesson 2 Digital Citizenship and Social Responsibility · 3 lessons
3
Companies and social responsibility
ICT P5 Term 2, Theme 3: pp. 14–17
GoalExplain what social responsibility of companies means and give examples of how helping online helps real life.
New words
company · a group of people who work together to make or sell things or servicessocial responsibility · caring about the people and place around you and helping themcommunity · the people who live or work together in one areavolunteer · a person who helps without being paid
Explanation
People can be socially responsible, and so can companies. When a company helps its community, we call it corporate social responsibility. For example, a company may pay for a tree-planting day, clean a river bank, give supplies to a school, or use the internet to share true safety tips. Many companies now put such tasks in their plans. Is a company obliged to help? People disagree, and thinking about it is good practice. Some say yes, because the company earns from the community. Others say help is best when it is chosen freely. Online, the same idea works for you: a true, kind post about washing hands or saving water helps real people in real life.
Company→Plans a helpful project→Community gets help→Trust grows
Worked examples
A furniture company gives old desks to a village school and its workers paint them with the children. This is a company helping its community.
A water company shares a true tip in a video: ‘Close the tap while you brush your teeth.’ It helps families save water, so online help changes real life.
Hana thinks: ‘If a company helps only because a rule makes it, I still like the help, but I trust it less than a company that chooses to help.’ Another child thinks differently. Both give reasons.
Class activity
Class discussion in groups of four. Question 1: Should every company help its community? Why or why not? Question 2: Name one thing a small shop near your school could do to help the neighbourhood. Question 3: Write one true tip you could share online to help people. Each group writes one sentence of agreement and shows it to the class. Everyone listens politely, even to ideas they do not share.
Practice
1
What is corporate social responsibility?
When a company helps its community and the environment.
2
Give one example of what a company can do to help a community.
For example: plant trees, clean a river bank or give supplies to a school.
3
How can a true online post about saving water help real life?
People learn the tip and use less water at home.
4
Two children have different opinions about a company’s duty. What should each one do?
